Saints Free Agency Priority | Page 9 | TigerFan.com

DarkHornet · Mar 17, 2009

Re: Free Agency-Saints Priority

pjnchamps said: ↑

Saints sign veteran DE Paul Spicer from the Jags.

http://blog.nola.com/saintsbeat/2009/03/new_orleans_saints_agree_to_te.html
Click to expand...

So I suppose he and Bobby McCray will be the starting defensive ends while Grant and Smith serve their suspensions.

pjnchamps · Mar 17, 2009

Re: Free Agency-Saints Priority

DarkHornet said: ↑

So I suppose he and Bobby McCray will be the starting defensive ends while Grant and Smith serve their suspensions.
Click to expand...

Just like their ol Jacksonville days I guess but that's if they serve their suspensions still got hope.

pjnchamps · Mar 19, 2009

Re: Free Agency-Saints Priority

Saints Cut Mike McKenzie

http://blog.nola.com/saintsbeat/2009/03/reports_new_orleans_saints_cut.html

Chris Granger / The Times-PicayuneCornerback Mike McKenzie was attended to by Saints personnel after fracturing his kneecap against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 9, 2008.

The New Orleans Saints continued to make over their secondary Thursday by cutting veteran cornerback Mike McKenzie, Saints spokesman Greg Bensel confirmed Thursday evening.

The cut comes one day after the team agreed to terms with free safety Darren Sharper and a couple of weeks after the saints signed free agent cornerback Jabari Greer from Buffalo.

The move clears $4.575 million in cap space.

"Decisions such as these are the hardest to make in this business," Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis said in a statement. "Mike has been a standout performer for the Saints both on and off the field during his career with the Saints. We wish him well in his future and thank him for all of his efforts representing the Saints."

McKenzie, 32, ended the past two seasons on injured reserve with knee injuries. But he said earlier this month that he was close to full speed in his recovery from the fractured kneecap he suffered last year in Atlanta.

It's not clear yet if the Saints tried to work out a pay cut with McKenzie or if they simply decided to release him now that they have some decent depth at the cornerback position. Greer, Tracy Porter and Randall Gay are expected to begin the offseason as the top three corners on the depth chart, followed by Usama Young, Jason David and Leigh Torrence.

David, however, is another veteran who could be in danger of being released at some point.

McKenzie, 32, played five seasons with the Saints after being acquired from the Green Bay Packers on October 4, 2004. With the Saints McKenzie started 62 of the 63 games he played in and registered 225 tackles (167 solo), 58 passes defensed and 12 interceptions (259 return yards) and one forced fumble.

McKenzie started 64 games for the Saints, including the playoffs, since arriving in a midseason trade with the Green Bay Packers in 2004. He recorded 12 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, and forced one fumble.

He was having one of the best seasons of his career in 2007 before he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in Week 16. He returned from the ACL tear last year, playing in seven games with one interception before fracturing the kneecap.

McKenzie, however, described his health as "great" earlier this month, saying that he was working out and running and planned to be at full speed when the team begins its offseason conditioning program at the end of March.

"This doesn't compare at all to an ACL," McKenzie said. "As always, health is the key. I just want to keep getting stronger and be ready to roll."

McKenzie was just as valuable off the field. He was recognized as the Saints' 2007 Walter Payton Man of the Year as a result of his work for underprivileged youth through his "34 Ways Foundation."
Click to expand...

pjnchamps · Mar 19, 2009

Re: Free Agency-Saints Priority

Definitely think if we could pick up Dre Bly for cheap

DarkHornet · Mar 19, 2009

Re: Free Agency-Saints Priority

pjnchamps said: ↑

Saints Cut Mike McKenzie

http://blog.nola.com/saintsbeat/2009/03/reports_new_orleans_saints_cut.html
Click to expand...

This is where we get into getting younger and clearing overused cap space. I liked Mike McKenzie, and he played great as a Saint when he was healthy, but I still absolutely agree with the decision by the front office.

Krypto · Mar 22, 2009

Re: Free Agency-Saints Priority

DarkHornet said: ↑

This is where we get into getting younger and clearing overused cap space. I liked Mike McKenzie, and he played great as a Saint when he was healthy, but I still absolutely agree with the decision by the front office.
Click to expand...

agreed. it was time to let him go. I know it was not all his fault, but that was a lot of money for a defender in a defensive team that just did not work well.

DarkHornet · Mar 23, 2009

Re: Free Agency-Saints Priority

Krypto said: ↑

agreed. it was time to let him go. I know it was not all his fault, but that was a lot of money for a defender in a defensive team that just did not work well.
Click to expand...

I'd say it was more that it was a lot of money for an often injured aging cornerback. I don't hold anything against McKenzie for playing on a bad defense, he was one of the best on our defense, and could probably contribute for Gregg Williams. Just not at the price tag that he's at.

pjnchamps · Mar 26, 2009

Re: Free Agency-Saints Priority

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80f75ce5&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Veteran safety Prioleau rejoins defensive coordinator Williams with Saints

The New Orleans Saints have signed free-agent safety Pierson Prioleau, the team announced Thursday
Terms of the deal weren't disclosed.

Prioleau, 31, is a 10-year NFL veteran who has played with the San Francisco 49ers (1999-2000), Buffalo Bills (2001-2004), Washington Redskins (2005-2007) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2008). Prioleau played for new Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams during stops in Buffalo, Washington and Jacksonville.

Last season with the Jaguars, Prioleau played in all 16 games, making one start, and had 26 tackles. He also defended one pass.
Click to expand...

http://www.neworleanssaints.com/Articles/2009/3/Saints Sign S Pierson Prioleau.aspx

Prioleau, 5-11, 188 pounds, is a veteran of 10 NFL seasons who has played with the San Francisco 49ers (1999-2000), Buffalo Bills (2001-2004), Washington Redskins (2005-2008) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2008). Prioleau played for current Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams during stops in Buffalo, Washington and Jacksonville.

A product of Virginia Tech, Prioleau entered the NFL as a fourth-round draft choice (110th overall) of the 49ers in the 1999 NFL Draft. He has played in 129 career regular season games during his career, making 48 starts, and has accumulated 371 career tackles (265 solo and 106 assists), along with five-and-a-half sacks, and 130 career special teams tackles.

In 2008 with the Jaguars, Prioleau played in all 16 games, making one start, and led the team in special teams tackles with 22 stops. He also registered 18 tackles while playing in the defensive backfield and had two passes defensed.
Click to expand...

Cajun Sensation · Mar 26, 2009

Re: Free Agency-Saints Priority

Gregg Williams is bringing all kinds of Jaguars to New Orleans, ain't he?

DarkHornet · Mar 26, 2009

Re: Free Agency-Saints Priority

Cajun Sensation said: ↑

Gregg Williams is bringing all kinds of Jaguars to New Orleans, ain't he?
Click to expand...

As long as they're cheap, I say the more the merrier. Let them all battle it out in camp and may the best men win. Surely Gregg likes having some guys who are familiar with his system and guys he got to scout up close and personal. If they're being signed, that has to mean they're guys that Gregg wants, and that's good enough for me.